Climate change, China's view

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By Xie Hangsheng (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-18 07:50

The long-awaited COP15 (United Nations Climate Change Conference 2009 in Copenhagen) will be held next month. As China's ambassador to Denmark, I am frequently asked about China's stance on climate change and this article serves as a summary. It will mainly focus on three parts: China's efforts and achievements, position toward COP15 and future undertakings.

When addressing climate change, many concerns have been expressed, many promises have been made, but concrete action is what counts. As a responsible major developing country, China fully recognizes the significance and urgency of addressing climate change, and has made a series of efforts on its own initiative.

As far back as 1995, China was determined to transform its economic pattern to a new one featuring technological innovation, less consumption and lower costs. Entering the 21st century, China adopted a long-term policy to achieve a comprehensive, coordinated and sustainable way of development. In 2007, a national leading group headed by the premier was set up and a National Climate Change Program was launched, the first among developing countries. In October last year, a white paper entitled China's Policies and Actions for Addressing Climate Change was published. In August, a draft resolution on climate change was approved by China's legislature.

Between 2006 and 2008, China shut down inefficient thermal power plants with a total capacity of 34.21GW (gigawatts), and closed 6,028 small coal mines. In 2007 alone, renewable energy contributed to an emission reduction of 500 million tons of CO2. From 2000 to 2008, China saw installed capacity of wind power increasing from 340 MW (megawatts) to 12 GW, ranking fourth in the world, and hydropower from 79.35 GW to 172 GW, the highest worldwide. In the 30 years of reform and opening up, China's GDP hit an annual growth of 9.8 percent, while energy consumption per unit of GDP decreased by 4 percent per year.

Even during the recent global economic crisis, the government demonstrated its firm resolve in addressing the climate issue. Of its 4-trillion-yuan ($586 billion) financial stimulus package, 350 billion yuan was channeled into environment- and climate-related industries.

Moreover, China always has a positive and constructive attitude toward international cooperation. Many of its proposals have been applauded by a vast number of countries. Being a developing country with a per capita GDP of around $3,000 and 15 million people still living in absolute poverty, China has distinguished itself with its endeavors and achievements. It is fair to say that China today is a determined supporter, a positive contributor and an active player in the climate campaign.

Climate change recognizes no borders, and I sincerely hope joint efforts will be made in the following aspects:

First, we should bring confidence to the table at COP15. The global economic crisis should not be an obstacle, either. China, along with many other countries, considers it an opportunity to further emphasize the importance of addressing climate change, which provides a chance to develop a low-carbon economy, restructure industry, open up new markets, attract investment and create employment opportunities.

Second, we should stick to the existing framework set by the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and its Kyoto Protocol, faithfully abiding by the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities". The UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocol are documents reflecting global consensus, providing a basic legal framework, and serving as a foundation for international negotiation. Adherence to this principle is critical to keep international cooperation on the right track. Any attempt to challenge it would only be viewed as a step backward.

Third, we should fulfill respective responsibilities. Given the historical responsibility and development levels, developed countries should reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on aggregate by at least 40 percent below their 1990 levels by 2020, and fulfill their obligations in assistance to developing countries in capacity building. The latter, in the light of national conditions and with the financial and technological support of developed countries, need to take appropriate actions and exert a more positive influence on the global agenda.

Fourth, we should work hard to achieve a win-win outcome. Dialogue based on equality, and cooperation featuring mutual benefit, are perhaps the only feasible option to address contradictions and confrontations in negotiations. Developed countries should take into full consideration the multiple pressures facing developing countries, such as eliminating poverty and mitigating the emissions of GHG, and render as much support as possible.

Looking forward, China will continue to take practical steps to tackle climate change. Concrete goals have been brought forward, not as a result of outside pressure, but out of its innate pursuit of sustainable development, and out of a sense of responsibility to its own people and people across the world.

In the 11th Five-Year Plan (2006-10), China has undertaken to do its utmost to achieve the goal: From 2005 to 2010, its energy consumption per unit GDP be reduced by about 20 percent, and main pollutant emissions to drop by 10 percent. The proportion of renewable energies in primary energy resources shall rise from 7.5 percent to 10 percent.

This September at the UN climate summit in New York, President Hu Jintao unveiled a blueprint to the year 2020. By then, China will intensify its efforts to conserve energy and improve energy efficiency, and raise the share of non-fossil fuels in energy generation to around 15 percent. Forest coverage will increase by 40 million hectares and forest stock volume by 1.3 billion cu m from the 2005 levels. China will endeavor to develop a green, low-carbon and circular economy, and enhance research, development and dissemination of climate-friendly technologies.

It is estimated by some foreign organizations that the future market of China's green economy will amount to $1 trillion per year. With an open mind, China stands ready to join hands with all other countries to build an even better future for the generations to come.

The author is China's Ambassador to Denmark.

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